CORRECTION: The original version of this article did not state the testing occurred in August 2024.
Gladewater homeowners will receive a letter from City Hall on ‘Lead Exceedance Public Education’ after two water samples from Fall 2024 tested above the EPA action level.
While it’s not a violation of state or federal law, lead levels registering in excess of 0.015 mg/L trigger certain notification requirements. Importantly, “Lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children,” according to the city’s release this week.
Officials acknowledge it’s not the first time a local sample has come back higher than the action level set by the Environmental Protection Agency, but administrations in past years weren’t diligent about following reporting requirements.
The recent public education advisory is available for download at GladewaterMirror.com in addition to CityofGladewater.com. It includes information on the health effects of lead, sources and recommendations for reducing exposure.
According to Gladewater City Manager Charlie Smith, 40 sample kits were sent to a pre-determined list of residences, typically selected according to the age of the residence. Homes built before 1986 are more likely to have lead pipes, fixtures and solder, per the EPA. Testing occurred in August 2024.
The sampling occurs twice each year: “There were 40 bottles put out. The public returned 10 of those bottles,” Smith confirmed.
Of those, two in 10 tested registered lead levels higher than 0.015 mg/L, approximately twice that action level. The remaining eight bottles returned below the line.
The two readings do not require additional action on behalf of the homeowners, Smith said.
Even though the lead readings are above the action level, they’re not considered a hazard.
“If anything came out specifically extremely high then we would have to contact those people specifically with a different letter advising them about their levels being extremely high.”
According to the city’s advisory, if subsequent sampling returns more high-level readings, City Hall may put a program in place to minimize lead in local drinking water.
Find recommendations for reducing exposure here.